Scott's Fairy Wrasse

Scott's fairy wrasse is a large Cirrhilabrus species that lives on the outer reefs of the Pacific. The males' body is green at the rear, dark blue-green in the middle and bright blue-green on the head and front; the lower quarter of the body is light red, while the head and upper front part are finely speckled with black. During courtship, males rise a few meters off the bottom and put on a display with their fins fully spread. In the wild, small groups made up mostly of females and juveniles pick zooplankton just above the bottom. Specimens are wild-collected; color differences are seen depending on the region.

• At least 300 liters and 120 cm in length for a small harem.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; moderate flow.
• Rock crevices to sleep in at night; a lid against jumping is essential.
• Reef-safe: It leaves corals and invertebrates alone.

Carnivorous, picking plankton. Offer frozen mysis, brine shrimp, copepods and small granules in small amounts 2–3 times a day.

Peaceful; males can be cantankerous towards males of their own kind and similarly colored Cirrhilabrus males. A male kept with females shows his colors more often.

Good companions: Anthias, flasher wrasses, dwarf angelfish, tangs, clownfish, gobies.

Avoid: Lionfish, groupers, large dottybacks, a second male of the same species.